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Hard pruning remains an essential part of maintaining a healthy garden, but it should only be done after plants have grown over the course of a few years, writes Dan Pearson. Proper mulching and feeding are also crucial to the process, which can help plants look fresh and encourage new life.

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Weed removal should be done properly to reduce the strain of the chore and retain plants that contribute to the beauty and health of the garden, says Barb Pierson, nursery manager at White Flower Farm in Litchfield, Conn. The growth of invasive plants can be controlled by cramming garden plants together, adding mulch, using the proper gardening tools and applying herbicides, Pierson advises.

Artificial turf is taking over Texas. More than 280 playing surfaces in the state now use the artificial surface. School officials say the turf helps save money and time because it needs less care, which can exceed $50,000 dollars annually with natural grass.

Business leaders need to strike a balance between developing collegial relationships with their workers and becoming emotionally attached to them, says Lisa Price, founder and president of Carol's Daughter. Let your emotions take control and you'll find it difficult to fire people who fail, or to let go of workers who move on of their own accord, Price says. "That discomfort is very hard to deal with, and it doesn't really have a place in business," she adds.

Data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York illustrates the challenges faced by America's households as they work to free themselves from debt. On June 30, total consumer debt was down only 6.5% from its high point in the third quarter of 2008. Foreclosures were added to the credit reports of 500,000 people between March 31 and June 30, a number that is 8.7% more than the figure for the first quarter.

Using horticultural oil is an organic and efficient way to control insects that eat flowers and plants in a garden, says Barbara Pierson, head gardener at White Flower Farm in Connecticut. She also says too much mulch can hurt the growth of plants, so it is best to use compost around the plant and mulch around open areas.